MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 20: Fabio Capello attends the Sports Mixed Zone ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2025 at the Palacio de Cibeles on April 20, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)
Fabio Capello, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Thursday, recalled the most memorable highlights of a career spanning more than 50 years, naming the best players he has worked with and the best pupils he has coached.
Capello’s 80th birthday interview: “Herrera was light years away, I was too angry with Cassano”
As a player, Capello won the Scudetto four times, lifting trophies with Roma, Juventus and Milan before beginning his career as a manager, returning to the national teams of Milan, Roma and Juve, as well as Real Madrid, England and Russia.
Capello won nine trophies during his time as Milan manager, including the 1993-94 Champions League, two league titles with Real Madrid, two league titles with Roma and two league titles with Juventus, which were later canceled.
said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello SportCapello says there are three main coaches who have inspired him the most.
“I tried to take something from all of their methods. I copied a lot from[Helenio]Herrera, a great motivator who was light years ahead of other players. I won my first trophy with him. In 1969 we beat Cagliari in the Coppa Italia with Riva, the best striker by some distance.”
“(Nils) Liedholm, on the other hand, made you believe he wanted to do something, even if he was actually the only one who wanted it.
“(Nereo) Rocco had a great understanding of football. He was very direct and didn’t take things for granted.”
What is your favorite memory from Capello’s playing days?
“Early days,” he answered. “My first trophies: my first Coppa Italia, my first Scudetto with Juve and the star on my shirt with Rivera’s Milan, the strongest team I played for.
“It was even more beautiful because as a manager, the best feeling of all was winning the Champions League in 1994, against all odds.”
Capello said De Rossi was his best “student”, a player he coached and who later went on to forge his own coaching career.
“If I had to name one person, I would say De Rossi. I fondly call him Daniele because I gave him his debut at Roma and invested a lot in him.”
And who is the best player Capello has had the honor of coaching?
“Ronaldo, oh Fenomeno. He was an absolute champion. It’s a shame he didn’t want to sacrifice more. And in Madrid they forced me to sell him.
“Another extraordinary talent was Cassano, but he pissed me off too much. He was a lost talent.”
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